Collection of ration cards
Object No. 2010/18/1
During the Second World War, food, clothing, petrol and other goods were rationed to ensure that there was sufficient supply for the military and to direct manufacturing away from consumer goods to essential war materials. It also ensured that limited supplies were equally available, and that Australia was able to ship suppplies to Britain. From mid June, 1942 clothing was rationed and each citizen was issued with a ration book of 112 coupons, with new ones available at the end of each year. Food rationing began in April 1942 with tea, while sugar, butter and meat rationing was gradually introduced thereafter. Margarine, coffee, rice, prunes, potatoes and much fresh fruit and vegetables were also rationed, as was furniture, and other household goods. Rationing persisted until the late 1940s and although not as severe as in Britain, became very unpopular. Many people recall the lengths friends and family went to to secure sufficient coupons for a wedding dress or to prepare a special meal. Although once commonplace, ration cards like these are now very rare. Vanessa Mack 2009
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Summary
Object Statement
Ration cards (7), paper, made by the Rationing Commission, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1947-1948
Physical Description
The seven ration cards for meat and clothing were issued to Mrs Dorothy M Cotter and Mr Patrick E Cotter by the rationing commission in Brisbane during the late 1940's. Each of the cards are made from paper, with stamped information of the front and reverse sides. The first card is a meat ration card, which is printed in red and part used. It was issued to 'D.M.Cotter, Burn St , Camp Hill'. The card is printed in a grid, numbered 1 to 104, with nos 1-51 cut off or used. There is also a reference for lost cards to be returned to the 'Deputy Director of Rationing' in Brisbane. The second card is a meat ration card, which is printed in red and part used. It was issued to 'P.M.Cotter, Burn St , Camp Hill'. The card is printed in a grid, numbered 1 to 104, with nos 1-50 cut off or used. There is also a reference for lost cards to be returned to the 'Deputy Director of Rationing' in Brisbane. The third card is a meat ration card, which is printed in red and part used. It was issued to 'P.E.Cotter, Burn St , Camp Hill'. The card is printed in a grid, numbered 1 to 104, with nos 1-49 cut off or used.There is also a reference for lost cards to be returned to the 'Deputy Director of Rationing' in Brisbane. The forth card is a meat ration card, which is printed in black and part used. It was issued to 'Dorothy M Cotter, Burn St, Camp Hill'. The card is printed in a grid, numbered 1 to 104, with nos 1 - 86 cut off or used. On the reverse side is a reference for lost cards and any queries to be directed to 'The Deputy Director of Rationing / Parbury House / 127 Eagle Street, Brisbane'. The fifth card is a meat ration card, which is printed in black and part used. It was issued to 'Patrick E Cotter, Burn St, Camp Hill'. The card is printed in a grid, numbered 1 to 104, with nos 1 - 90 cut off or used. On the reverse side is a reference for lost cards and any queries to be directed to 'The Deputy Director of Rationing / Parbury House / 127 Eagle Street, Brisbane'. The sixth card is a clothing ration card, which is printed in red and part used. It was issued to 'D M Cotter, Burn St, Camp Hill'. The card is printed in grid, numbered 1 to 56, with nos 1 - 25 cut off or used. There is also a reference for any cards found to be returned to the 'Deputy Director of Rationing, Brisbane'. The seventh card is a special, pre-natal, clothing coupon, which is printed in green and part used. It was issued to 'Mrs D M Cotter, Burn St, Camp Hill'. The card is printed in grid, but unnumbered, with some grids cut off at top, bottom and sides.
PRODUCTION
Notes
These ration cards were printed and distributed in 1947-1948 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
HISTORY
Notes
These ration cards were owned and used by Mr Patrick Cotter and his wife, Mrs Dorothy Cotter, of Camp Hill, Brisbane. Most of the rationing tickets on the cards are still preserved.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Patricia Lowing, 2010
Acquisition Date
8 April 2010
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